Passive Valve Self-Actuation via Pressure Porting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional passive valves require external controllers to manage pressure thresholds for opening and closing, lacking self-sufficiency in actuation without external control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A passive in-line valve design featuring a piston and control mechanism that transitions between open and closed states based on differential pressure thresholds, using a control piston and spring system to equalize and port pressures within the valve housing, allowing actuation without external control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional passive valves are used, then external controllers are required to monitor pressure thresholds and actuate the valve, but this increases device complexity and eliminates self-sufficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to automatically sense pressure differentials across the valve and actuate itself without external control. The control mechanism uses the process fluid's own pressure to drive the control piston, which in turn actuates the valve piston, creating a self-contained automatic control system that eliminates the need for external controllers while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by utilizing the process fluid's pressure differential to directly actuate the control piston. The control mechanism ports the upstream and downstream pressures to the control piston, allowing the fluid pressure itself to drive the valve actuation, thereby achieving self-actuation through pneumatic-hydraulic means without external energy sources or complex control systems
2Reliability
If external controllers are used to monitor pressure thresholds, then valve actuation can be achieved, but this reduces reliability by introducing external control dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The valve uses its own operating conditions (pressure differential across the valve) to trigger actuation, making it inherently reliable without dependencies on external controllers, power sources, or control systems. The self-actuating mechanism ensures the valve will respond automatically to pressure changes based on pre-set thresholds determined by the control mechanism geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the control function from external systems and integrates it directly into the valve mechanism itself. By removing the need for external controllers, sensors, and actuation systems, the valve achieves inherent reliability through its built-in control mechanism that uses the process fluid's own pressure to drive actuation
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional passive valve designs are used, then simpler structures are achieved, but steady-state points exist between open and closed positions reducing dynamic stability
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism creates a feedback system where the pressure differential across the valve continuously acts on the control piston. As the valve begins to open or close, the changing flow conditions alter the pressure differential, which provides feedback to the control piston to complete the actuation. This feedback mechanism eliminates stable intermediate positions and ensures the valve transitions fully between open and closed states, achieving dynamic stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic behavior through the control piston and spring mechanism, which respond to changing pressure differentials in real-time. The spring provides a restoring force that, combined with the pressure-driven control piston, creates a dynamic system capable of rapid transition between states. This dynamic design prevents the valve from settling in intermediate positions, ensuring it operates only in fully open or fully closed states for optimal stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables self-actuation of the valve based on internal pressure conditions, ensuring dynamic stability and eliminating steady-state points between full open and closed positions, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of valve operation.
Implementation Method 1
The control mechanism is configured to port outlet static pressure to the upstream cavity in a first state such that pressure is equalized on the valve piston
Implementation Method 2
The control mechanism is configured to port inlet pressure to the upstream cavity in a second state such that a differential pressure on the valve piston acts on the valve piston
Implementation Method 3
The valve piston can be biased toward the open position such that when the control mechanism is in the first state, the valve piston moves toward the open position. The valve piston can be biased with a valve piston spring
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a
AI summary
A passive in-line valve (100) configured to be actuated without an external control includes a valve housing (101) defining an inlet (103), an outlet (105), and a flow path (107) between the inlet (103) and the outlet (105) and a piston housing (109) extending inwardly from the housing (101). The valve includes a valve piston (111) movably disposed within the piston housing (109), the valve piston including an upstream side (111a) and a downstream side (111b). The valve also includes a control mechanism (115) disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to port outlet static pressure to the upstream cavity in a first state such that pressure is equalized on the valve piston (111).